Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev met Chinese Ambassador Du Dewen on Friday and expressed appreciation to China for its offer of free COVID-19 vaccines. 

During the meeting, the Chinese Ambassador noted that China and Kyrgyzstan are good neighbors and all-around strategic partners, the Chinese embassy said in a press release. She expressed the hope and confidence that the vaccines will help Kyrgyzstan counter the epidemic and play a positive role in ensuring the health and safety of its people.

Kazakbaev expressed gratitude to China for its plan to provide COVID-19 vaccines. He said the decision is a testament to its enormous support for Kyrgyzstan and the strong fraternal friendship between the peoples of the two countries.  The Kyrgyz side says it is ready to maintain close contact with the Chinese on technical issues in the provision of vaccines for the early benefit of the Kyrgyz people.

"China is ready to continue to fight the epidemic side by side with Kyrgyzstan, to help build a Chinese-Kyrgyz health community and deepen cooperation in various fields in the joint construction of Belt and Road in order to benefit the peoples of the two countries," the Chinese diplomat said.

Earlier, the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan reported that the first stage of vaccination in the country will begin in late March or early April.

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